That particular Arsenal player is a threat to European football… All my defender are scared of him, I’m finished”: Atalanta coach says Arsenal has ONE player that none of his defender wants to face
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken highly of Arsenal ahead of their Champions League clash, but he remains confident that his team is capable of pulling off another upset. Gasperini, who guided Atalanta to Europa League glory last season, defeating the likes of Liverpool along the way, now faces a tough challenge against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the revamped Champions League. Atalanta’s main goal is to advance to the knockout stages under the new format.
The 66-year-old coach, who confirmed that Ademola Lookman is fit to play against the Gunners, acknowledged the strength of Arsenal while maintaining his team’s ambition. “Atalanta must recognize that we are not yet on the same level as these big teams, but we always play for one result and will do the same tomorrow,” said Gasperini.
He continued, “We begin with a very tough opponent, but this match gives us a chance to test ourselves. I don’t know Arteta personally, but as a coach, he has my full respect. His team is well-organized, compact, and plays attractive football. The results speak for themselves, even though they didn’t manage to win the Premier League.”
Reflecting on Atalanta’s recent success, Gasperini added, “We had an excellent Europa League campaign, winning a competition that had eluded us for many years. Our goal now is to stay competitive in the Champions League. It will be tough to break into the top eight, but to remain between ninth and twenty-fourth, we must aim to earn points in every match.”
